Norman teal



@nitro 'tates @anni @fitta NORMAN TEAL, or KENDAL'LVILLE, INDIANA. -Letters Patent No. 67,610, dated August 6, 1867.

INVALID-BED ATTACHMENT.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.: l

i Be it known that I, NORMAN TEAIr, of Kendallville, in the county of Noble, and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sick-Bed Attachment; and I'do herebyv declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appcrtains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part ofithis specification, and in whichl Figure 1 represents a top view, showing the sheet or canvas attached to the rollers.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, and i Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section, taken .in the line a: :11, iig.` 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to the attachment to an ordinary bedstead of an adjustable bed-bottom, which may be easily regulated to govern the position of the patient, and afford the means of ready access to his body, when desired, through the bottom of the bed. I

It consists in attaching the device to an ordinary bedstead; in the"combination of the sheet provided with a longitudinal slit, covered by a ily, with adjustable rollers, and the frame ofthe device; and in the combination of the different parts, whereby an improved sick-bed attachment is provided, .as will be hereinafter more fully described.

A represents the posts, and B the side and end rails of an ordinary bedstead, to which my attachment is applied; C are cross-pieces or sills, resting upon the siderails B, at each end of the hcdsteatl, and to which they are attached in any convenient manner to admit of being easily removed, when desired. I do not wish to com tine myself to any particular method of attaching the sills to the bcdstad, as itmay-beaccomplished in a variety of ways without departing from the principle of my invention. In the present instance, however, I employ a clasp, D, which passes over the cross-piece C, near its end, in the form of'a loop, its ends being bentV over, and catching under the lower side of the side rails B. VF is the frame of my attachment, consisting oi' the cross-pieces F', to the upper sides of which are securely attached the side rails G G. The cross-pieces F are placed immediately above the lower cross-pieces C, upon which they slide,i as will be presentlyxplained. Near one end of each of the lower cross pieces C, and embracing the same, is secured a metallic band, H, of rectangular form, having a roller, a, pivoted therein, as seen in fig. 3, above said cross-piece. Through the upper part of these bands, and resting upon the'rollers, the upper cross-pieces F' slide. The upper cross-pieces F' have secured to them, near their inner ends, similar rectangular bands H', which also embrace and slide upon the lower cross-pieces C. Between each upper and lower cross-piece is placed a roller, b, pivoted in the bands H', and bearing upon the lower cross-piece. A similar roller, 6', is also pivoted in the lower part ot' the hand H', but beneath the cross-piece C, against the lower side of which it bears. These rollers b facilitate the operation of the sliding-frame, rendering its movement easy, and preventing jars. Instead of making the rollers with their sides parallel, or of cylindrical form, they may be made slightly concave in the direction of their length; those between the cross-pieces should be sunk into the latter at the point of their permanent attachment with each, in order to prevent a wide 'space between said cross-pieces,permitting them to approach very near each other. The movement ot' the sliding-frame F is shown in red lines, lig. 3. To thennd'r side-oi'` the rail G of the frame F, near its ends, are hinged legs I', which, when the frame of the attachment isdrajvn'out and in use, serve to support it, as seen in redlines, fig. 2,and when closed are folded up against the under side, and held in position by means ofthe sliding clasp or band'c. I is the sheet or bed-bottom, composed of canvas or other suitable material, and is attached at cach end, in any convenient` manner, to the rollers d d, -upon the frame F, and which have bearings near the ends of the side rails G G. To the end of one of these rollers is secured the ratchet-wheel e, and crankf, whereby the sheet or bed-bottom I is wound upon the roller, and-held in any desired position by means of the pawl g engaging with the ratchet-wheel. The pin h is placed through the end of the opposite roller, and into the side rail Gr', whereby the said roller is prevented fromturning This pin may be removed when desired. Through the sheet I,.near the upper end or head, or in the centre, an aperture or slit, K, is made longitudinally, and to the under side a ily, J, is attached, as shown in dotted lines, fig. 1, which closes the said slit when desired, and is fastened by anyvsuitable means. Upon this sheet the patient is laid, and his position governed by'means of the roller d and crankf, as will be readily understood.

The rollers d ol may be provided with short strips of cloth, permanentlyv secured to them, and affording con-` venient points for the attachment of the sheet I. The slit K in the sheet facilitates bathing the back and hips of patients, whereby bedfsores are prevented. The apparatus affords great advantages in treating minor surgical cases and suppurating wounds, or those requiring the application ofA liquid and frequent dressings.

This' invention insures cleanliness and comfort to the patient, prevents the accumulation of filth inthe bed, admits of a ready means of removal of the discharges of the bowels, increased ventilation', and ail'ords relief and assistance in the onerous duties of nurses and attendants. 'lhe main objects of the attachmentiare comfort and cleanliness for the sick or wounded, where they are compelled to remain in bed a long time.

Having thus described my invention, what 4l claim as new, and desire to secure' by Letters Patent, is--j 1. A sick-bed attachment, attached to an ordinary bedstead, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

2. The sheet I, provided with the slit K and ilyJ, in combination with the adjustable rollers d d and frame F, substantially as described, for the purpose specified. Y

3. The combination of the cross-pieces C, bands -H H', rollers b b', frame F, provided with hinged legs, slit sheet I, with ily J, and adjustable rollers ci d, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

' NORMAN TEAL.

Witnesses:

J. R. BAKER, G. S. BINCKLEY. 

